Three-way motor operated valve



Jan. 2, 1951 Filed March 25, 1943 E. G. MILLER ErAL 2,536,691

THREE-WAY MOTOR OPERATED VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z0 14T TQQ/vifs.

Jan' 2, 1951 E. G. MILLER ErAL 2,536,691

THREE-WAY MOTOR OPERATED VALVE'.

Filed March 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 2, 1951 .1.

THREE-WAY MOTOR OPERATEDA VALVEv Edward G. Miller and Ralph E. Engberg, Clayton,

Mo., assignors to Alco Valve Company, Maplewood, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application March 25, 1943, Serial No. 480,484.

'trical circuit is controlled by a limit switch, and

the operating circuit thereby rendered selfphasing so that regardless ofthe valvesetting f i'n either extreme position' the circuit will be `'set tooperate to move the valve to the other dif'rection when the circuit'is' externally operated. Another object is to'generally simplify the construction of a valve' of this type tol provide compact, light weight and relatively small 'mechanism, without sacrificing eiiiciency and ccuracy of operation'. `Additional advantages of the invention will `drawings, in which: Fig. l is an end view 'of the valve mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is an end view of the end of the mechanism opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. l is a vertical section taken substantially n'the line 4-"4 of Fig.- 1;

Fig. v5 is a vertical .section taken. substantially on the line 5`5 ofl Fig. 4;" Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 4;' `vFig 8 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 8--8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is a detail view in side elevation of a `substantie'115;

'ca-m key, a part of the valvev operatingassembly;

"Fig-'l1 is 'a detail view of a part of thelimit switch operating mechanism; and,

Fig. vl2is a vwiring diagram of the electrical control circuit for the motor element.

In the embodiment -of the invention illustra-ted inthe drawing, the mechanism is shown as including a valve body II), having iormed therein an inlet passage I I, and an outlet passage I2. 'The valve body is also provided with a filler 13 Claims. (Cl. 137-144) to motor operated valves, I l

pe apparent from the-following detailed description' taken in connection vwith' the accompanying passage I3 having its inlet part extending into` a hollow threaded boss I4 formed integral with the valve body Ill.v An internally opening check valve I5 is threaded into the hollowboss I4 and is adapted to 'permit an inflow into the passage I3, but to prevent exhaust therefrom.

While the mechanism has varied applications, the valve isshown equipped for' application as a control of an air bottle (not shown). To this end the -valve body has threaded into one wall thereof a nipple I6, having an externally threaded extension II- that threads into a threaded l-opening- --IB in the valve body I0, in axial alinement 4with the inlet passage Il. The

.f nipple I6 has an' internal recess I9v in its upper face (Fig. ijf into which is fitted a siphon tube 20 adapted to extend'into an air bottle, to which the valve vmay be connected by threading a threaded recess 2I'of the nipple I6 over a complementary threaded'connection of the air botf tie as will be readily understood. A gasket 22 may be employed if desired to seal the joint bel tween thenipple I6, and the opening I8 in the valve bodywif desired. The valve body is also provided with a threaded recess 23 (Fig. 6) that communicates with the inlet passage II. The recess 23 Aisjadaptedto receive threaded en; gagement a conventionalpressure gage device (not shown). j"

The outlet passage. I2 entersinto a threaded recess 24, formed in a'boss 25 -integral with the valve body ID. 'This construction provides for connecting the' outlet of the valve.` with a service conduit (not shown). The inner end ofthe passage I2 `connects'into a branch passage 2S that'leads into a valve chamber 21, that comf municates vwthan open exhaust.Y passage 28 in the valve body. It will be lunderstood that the inlet passage II intersects and is in communication with the out: let passage I2 whenthe valve mechanism is in open adjustment, and that the outlet passage I2 via the passage 26, the valve chamber 21, and 'the exhaust passage 28 is in communication with atmosphere when the valve mechanism is 'in closed adjustment. The inletpart-or influent end of the passage II is controlled by a puppet valve operating in va valve-chamber 29;,against aconical valve seat 3 0 formed @i the orifice o f the passage II.

The puppet valve structure `comprises a conical valve plug 3|, having a resilient sealing surface y to contact the valve seat 30. A valve stem, in c luding reduced part 32, a hemispherical head 33, and an annular flange 34, operates andis guided in a radial bore 35 formed in the valve body. A sealing gasket 3E is interposed between the flange 34 and under the face of the head dicated by duplicated and corresponding refer? ence numerals, with the added'su'ixc.

The exhaust valve is positioned at right angles .Y to the inlet valve. It isrnounted in an internally threaded hollow-boss 4!! Vformed-integral with the yalvebody. An internal radial bore 4l iS formed in the valvebody and the valvestem of the po'prrpeigrtjalve is slidably mounted therein. An externally threaded nut Yil-2, havinganinternal recess 43 constitutes a spring seatfor the spring 33a.. The` tendency of the spring is to actuate the valve plu-g Sla* to its seat thereby closing communication betweenthe passage 26 andtheexhaust pas,-

sage 28. The valve isop/erred bythe mechanism later to be described,

A suitable electric wiring connector 44 is partially contained; within a, recess 45- inthe top wall of the valve body.-

i 'I helmeans for operating. the two valves in .oludes a reversible motor, the casing of which is shown at 58. This motor rotates, ashaft 5 An eccentric 52 (Figs. 4, 7,8). is secured to this'shaft to'rotate therewith.` Around this eccentric is mounteda double pinion mechanism, includinga first pinionl53 and a. second pinion 5 4. When the eccentric 52 is rotated by the shaft 5|.'these two .pinions may revolve` aboutthe eccentric.

' 'A first ring gear Yt5 is secured to .the motor housing. The pinion 53vv vis supported concentriauy @fthe ecenthc 52; 'Itis smaller man the ring-.gea rand, consequently,'it is caused by the eccentric, 5.2"to walk'larourid the ringfgear, which action gives the vpinion 53 a rotationabout `its own axis. This rotation is transmittedv to the pinion- 54, which is integral With'thepinion 53. The pinion 54 meshes with a movable. ring` gear 5t., the engagement being similar tothat between the pinion 53, andthe ring gear 55. The, ring gear 53. c omprises'the driven member of the-epi 'cyclic train. Itis driven art-,avery much reduced' speed relative to thatr of' the shaft 5| The ring gear 56 is mounted upon a rotary member 5 8 (Figs. 4, 9.,.and 10).. The. rotary member 58 is mountedl aboutthemotorshaft 5| with aroller' bearing 59 between them.. rlheinner end Aofthe rotary member is 4'provided with tongues 58. that engage within slotslacross the head ofla cam member 62.. This cam, membervis inserted into. a passage 63, .extending transversely of the valve body. The head of the cam member ,52, isenlarged to tfwithin the enlarged end of the.A opening 63. to limit movement of the member lpthroughthe valve body asis shown in Figs. 4 and 9,

Thus, it will be seen .that thev motor shaft. 5| Lwil'l rotate the rotary vmeniber 53 through the epiv cyclic train, and, in 'turn, .the rotary member'by engagement or thetongues 60 in-` the slot 8| will rotate the. cam member i82ywithinjthe opening 63.

The middle "portion of the cam member 62 is eccentrically grooved to provide a cam portion 64 (Fig. 6). The portion 64 is engaged by the heads 33 and 33a of the two valves 3| and 3|a. As appears from Fig. 6, a rotation of the member 64 will cause the camming portion 65 to release one valve and to open the other.

The mechanism for controlling the direction of rotation of the reversible motorg5) Aincludes a mechanism attached to the right-'hand end (Fig. 4) of the cam member 62. The first element of this mechanism is a disc 68 (Figs. 4 and 11). This disc has a non-circular opening 69 therein by means of which it may be non-rotatably supported upon a portion 10 of the cam member 62. A pin 'El isv eccentrically supported on the disc B8. This pin engages within an arcuate slot 'l2 (Fig. 5) in'alimit "switch cam 'I3 that is rotatably mounted upon a shoulder '|4 on the member 62. A nut and lock nut, both generally indicated at l5, .are tightened onto a threaded end of the member 62 to holdthe cam 13 against removal from the member 62, but they do not prevent vfree rotation of the cam on the member. .A cotterkey 16 may be added for locking purposes.

It may be seen that the pin 1| will be rotated upon'rotation of the motor shaft with a lost motion in the slot of almost 90, at. the ends of `which lost motion, further displacements of thepin 1| will movethe cam .13.. Y

The cam member'TS has a rise 'i8 on it. the top 19 of which is notched (Fig..5.). The rise en gages a projecting legv of atrgger member 88 oa limit switch 8|. This limit. switch is of a -commercial type with single-pole double-throw snapaction operation. When the cam. is in the position of Fig. 5, the limit switch closes one .circuit and opens another. When the cam removes the rise 18 from the trigger member 80, thelimit switch trigger 8| is pivoted downwardly to shift lthe limit switch to open therst circuit and to close the second.

A typical' electrical circuit for, the valve is lshown in Fig. l2; The motor 58 is shown as having a forward winding 83 and a reverse winding 84. rLhe winding 83 is connected toa contact 85,

the circuit of which may be completed through anotherc'ontact' 88' that 'is connected to a'terminal 81 of a master switch .88. The master lswitch 8-8 is in 'turn connected to` a'battery 8 9. The circuit may be'co'mpleted through the ground.

The reverse winding 84 is connected to a contact 98 that may be closed with the contact 9| connected to another terminal 92 of the master switch 88. c The limit switch arm 93j'is displaced by the cam 13 from a-I positionwherein it closes the conftacts-QU and 9| to a position wherein it closes the contacts 8 5 andv 8 6. v y

Operation y 'As heretofore noted, this valvek may beusedias a means to control the-storageof air, its useto dowork, and the exhaust of air from the work. To this end, the inner check valve I5 maybe connected to a. source of compressed air. |The nipple 2| may -be connected to a bottle, or-like storage Container, for air. And the nipple 24 maybe connected to an airline to the work.

-When it is desired torecharge the bottle, the motor 5U isv operated toputthe valves in the-position of Figs. 4and6.. In this position, the valve 3| isclosed, andthe valve Sie-is open. kAiris introduced then through the valve l5, whence it passes-through theA passage. |.3 and the tube 20 into thebottle.. It` isprevented from escaping because the valve 3| is closed.A

Meanwhile, the work is connected to exhaust from the nipple 24 through the passages I2 and 26 around the valve Sia to the exhaust port 28, thus relieving any back pressure at the work.

In the foregoing position of the valves, the circuits of the device will be as shown in Fig. l2. When it is later desired to use the air stored in the bottle to perform the work, the switch t8 is moved into the dotted line position of Fig. 12, closing with the contact 92. In this position, the circuit is completed throug-h the limit switch contacts gli and 9|, and the reverse winding 84 of the motor. The motor thenrotates the cam member 62 counterclockwise in Fig. 6 so that the cam rise t5 moves approximately 90 to release the valve 3Ia to closed position and thereafter to open the valve 3 i.

During the first part of this movement, as will be seen by comparing Figs. 5 and 6, the disc 68 will move the pin 'll within the slot 'i2 without displacing the cam 13. Consequently, the limit switch will not be shifted until the end of the movement of the member 62. J-ust prior to 90 displacement of the member 62, the pin 6l will reach the end or" the slot 72, so that further movement of the member 52 and the disc 68 will cause the cam 'i3 to be displaced, removing the rise 'f8 from the trigger 8E, thus causing the limit switch to shift to the contacts 85 and 86 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l2.

Premature displacement of the cam F3 is prevented by the fact that the trigger Bil engages within the groove 'i9 of the cam I3 to offer some resistance to displacement of the cam i3, which resistance is greater than the friction that would tend to cause the cam to follow movements of the disc. ShiftingI of the limit switch opens the circuit through the master switch 88 and causes the motor shaft to stop with the cam 96 from the position of Fig. 6, so that the valve 3l is open and the valve 3 la is closed. In this position, the check valve l5 prevents escape of air from the bottle, but air from the bottle can pass around the valve 3| and out through the passage I2 to the work. It is cut oit from exhaust by the closure of the valve 31a.

A subsequent shifting of the switch 88 to the dotted line position of Fig. l2 will reclose vthe motor circuit, but this time through the winding 84. Thereupon the cam member E2 will shift to return the valves to the positions of Fig- G. During the early part of this movement, the pin 'Il will again go through almost 90 of lost motion. Finally, it will reach the end of the slot 'i2 to force the rise 'I8 under the trigger 80 and shift the limit switch to the dotted line position of Fig. 12 so that it opens the motor circuit. In this .operation, again, the resistance of the limit switch to displacement is such as to prevent premature movement of the cam i3 under the limit switch by friction or like forces transmitted from the disc 68. f

The valve also will permit a direct connection of the air under pressure to the wort: when the valve 3| is open and the valve 3N is closed, in which case, the air under pressure will now through the portion i8 and around the valve 3| to the work.

The port 3l! will be attached to a gage to indicate at all times the air pressure.

It will be seen that this valve construction is self-phasing since the position of the limit switch relative to the valves is fixed, both being operated oiwthe same cam member 62. Consequently, if

the valve is manually moved, the limit switch will shift the same as if the valve had lbeen automatically moved by the motor. Manual movement might be resorted to upon failure of power. Upon return of power after manual movement, the mechanism will be phased to operate the valves from the positions to which they have been manually moved.

What is claimed is:

l. In a valve mechanism, a housing, an operated device operable therein from open to closed position, a reversible motor for operating the device, a limit switch operable from a forward position to a reverse position, said limit switch in forward position closing in a forward motor circuit, and in reverse position closing in a reverse motor` circuit, and being thereby adapted to control the direction of rotation of the motor, means to operate the operated device from the motor and means to operate the limit switch from the motor, said last-named means including a lost motion connection between the motor and the limit switch actuating means whereby the motor may be operated in either direction a predetermined distance to operate the device and then may shift the limit switch to stop the motor and to preset the limit switch circuit for operation of the motor in the other direction.

2. A valve operating means including a housing, a pair of operated devices therein having spaced actuating means, a motor for operating the devices, means between the motor and the operating means for operating one device and releasing the other device whenv the motor moves lback or forth between two limitations of its operation, a limit switch operable to a rst position in which it may eiect forward rotation of the motor and into a second position in which it may effect reverse rotation of the motor, a member for actuating the limit switch, and a lost motion connection between the motor and the membel` to cause the motor` to rotate from a position wherein it causes one device to be operated, to a position wherein it causes the other device to be operated, and then to stop.

3. A mechanism of the kind described including a pair of operable devices, each having an actuating means and each movable to first and second positions, said actuating means being angularly spaced apart, a reversible motor, a rotatable member rotated by Athe motor from a position in which it moves the first device from first to second position and releases the second device, to a position wherein it moves the second device to its second position and releases the first device to its first position, limit switch means movable from a position to effect rotation of the motor in one direction to a position to effect rotation of the motor in the other direction, a cam rotatably mounted on the rotating member and adapted to actuate the limit switch means to one position or to release it to the other position, a lost motion connection between the cam and the rotating member adapted to provide rotation of the rotating member from a position wherein one of the devices is released to its rst position and the other is moved to its second position to a position wherein said one device is moved to its second position and the other is released, and then to displace the limit switch cam to cause it to shift the motor circuit.

4. In a housing, a iirst actuated device, a second actuated device angularly spaced from the first, a cam means operable from a position in which it displaces the rst device and releases the second device, to a position in which it releases the first device and displaces the second, a reversible motor for rotating the cam, a limit switch operable from a position to effect forward rotation of the motor to a position to effect reverse rotation of the motor, a second cam rotatably mounted relatively to the first cam, .said second cam being operable from a position to move the limit switch to one of its circuits to a position to release the limit switch to its other circuit, and a lost motion connection between the first cam and the second cam so that the second cam is not displaced upon rotation of the first cam until the first cam has moved substantially from a position to displace one device to a position to displace the other.

' 5. In a valve mechanism, a housing, a motor having a shaft connected into the housing, a transverse opening through the housing with which the motor shaft is alined, a rotatable cam member within the transverse opening, a plurality of actuated devices radially disposed with respect to said member and adapted to be op# erated by the same upon its rotation, said transverse opening being adapted to receive the rotary member from one end of said opening, means to prevent axial movement of the rotating member within the opening, a member separable from the rotating member and adapted to be interposed between the motor shaft and the rotating member to transmit rotation of the shaft to the member, and interengaging means between the separable member and the rotating member, being adapted to transmit torque, but

being disengageable by axial movement thereof away from the rotating member.

6. In a valve mechanism, a housing, a motor having a shaft connected into the housing, a transverse opening through the housing with which the motor shaft is alined, a rotatable cam member within the transverse opening, a plurality of actuated devices radially disposed with respect to said member and adapted to be operated by the same upon its rotation, said transverse opening being adapted to receive the row tary member from one end of said opening, means to'prevent axial movement of the rotating member within the opening, means including an epicyclic gear train and a member rotated by the train, separable from the rotating member and adapted to be interposed between the motor shaft and the rotating member to transmit rotation of the shaft to the member, and interengaging means between the separable member and the rotating member, being adapted to transmit torque, but being disengageable by axial movement thereof away from the rotating member.

7. In a valve mechanism, a housing, a motor having a shaft connected into the housing, a transverse opening through the housing with which the motor shaft is alined, a rotatable cam member within the transverse opening, a plu- `rality of operated devices radially disposed with respect to said member and adapted to be operated by the same upon its rotation, said trans verse opening being adapted to receive the rotary member from one end of said opening, means tol prevent axial movement of the rotating member within the opening, a member separable from the rotating member and adapted to be interposed between the motor shaft and the ro. tating member to transmit rotation of the shaft to the member, and interengaging means between the separable member and the rotating member, being adapted to transmit torque, but being disengageable rby axial movement thereof away from the rotating member, a forward and a reverse circuit for the motor, a limit switch operable into two positions to predetermine the direction of rotation of the motor, a cam for operating said limit switch, an element rotatable with the rotating member, and a pin and slot lost motion connection between said element and the cam.

8. In a mechanism of the kind described, a reversible rotary motor means, a rotated member adapted to be operated by the rotary motor means, a pair of actuated devices, operating means angularly spaced around the rotated member, one for each actuated device, limit switch means for controlling the direction of rotation of the motor means, and means on the rotated member for shifting the limit switch means at the time it operates each operating means.

9. In a mechanism of the kind described, a reversible rotary motor means, a rotated mem# ber adapted to be operated by the rotary motor means, said rotated member comprising a cam having a cam rise therein, a pair of actuated devices, operating means angularly spaced around the rotated member, one for each actuated device, means urging each operated device yieldingly against the cam, whereby the operated device is shifted when displaced by the cam rise, limit switch means for controlling the direction of rotation of the motor means, and means on the rotated member for shifting the limit switch means at the time it operates each operating means.

l0. In a mechanism of the kind described, a reversible rotary motor means, a rotated member adapted to be operated by the rotary motor means, a pair of actuated devices, operating means angularly spaced around the rotated member and movable thereby, one operating means for each actuated device, limit switch means for controlling the direction of rotation of the motor means, including a cam for operating the limit switch means, and a lost motion connection between the rotated-member and the cam for moving the cam only when the rotated member moves an operating means.

11. In a mechanism of the kind described, a' housing, a main bore therein, a pair of radial bores extending outwardly from the mainbore'; an actuated device in each radial bore and re# ciprocable therein toward and from the main bore, an oscillatory member in the main bore, having means thereon to displace the actuated devices selectively upon oscillation thereof from a rst position to a second position, reversible power means for oscillating the oscillatory meme. ber, switch means for controlling the direction of operation of the power means, and means moved by movement of the oscillatory member for shifting the switch means as the oscillatory member shifts one of the actuated devices.

A 1-2. In a valve apparatus, a housing, an inlet thereinto, a first outlet therefrom connected to the inlet, a second outlet therefrom connected to the first outlet, a first valve between the'first and second outlets, a third outlet connected to the second outlet, a second valve between the second and third outlets, motor means for operating said valves, mechanism operated by said motor means to shift from a position opening the first valve with the second closed, to a pcsition opening the second valve with the first one closed, and means operated by the motor means to stop operation of the motor means as each Valve is operated.

13. In a valve apparatus, a housing, an inlet thereinto, a first outlet therefrom connected to the inlet, a second outlet therefrom connected to the iirst outlet, a first Valve between the rst and second outlets, a third outlet connected to the second outlet, a second valve between the second and third outlets, reversible motor means for operating said Valves, mechanism operated by said motor means to shift from a position opening the iirst valve with the second closed, to a position opening the second Valve with the first one closed, limit switch means or controlling the direction of operation of the motor means, said switch means being shiftable from a position enabling the motor to operate from opening the rst valve and releasing the second, to a position releasing the first Valve and opening the second, and means operated by the motor means to shift the limit switch when the mechanism operates to a position opening a valve.

EDWARD G. MILLER. RALPH E. ENGBERG.

10 REFERENCES ola-:En

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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